Mac13

I was at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in North Carolina last week and had an epiphany (which are far and few for me...so maybe I'm overly-confident about this idea). How about a show centered around the concept, both concretely and abstractly, of flight. Surface: The story of the Wright Brothers would be a great fit for Crown in my opinion, given their Carolina roots. I see flags and front sideline walls with drawings of various plane prototypes and equations (https://bit.ly/2ZlBHnU). Maybe a replica of their original plane that can be transported and moved around the field easily (https://s.si.edu/1w6Kdja). Firebird could work as a closer. The "plane" stays backfield until the closer when it's moved forward as part of a dramatic company front, then the Crown set (symbolizing the first flight). Abstract: As StrikerEZ said, this design team is great with abstract...but often at the risk of being accessible. While the concrete concept of the show is the birth of aviation (accessible), the show can also carry a deeper meaning (perhaps during the ballad) of : taking risks, achievements, personal growth, etc. Some quotes come to mind: "Fly without wings; Dream with open eyes; See in darkness.” -Dejan Stojanovic “If you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them from growing.” -Coco Chanel “Man must rise above the Earth, to the top of the atmosphere and beyond, for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives.” -Socrates “Until you spread your wings you have no idea how far you’ll fly.” -anonymous I have no professional experience with show design, but I've been intrigued by this concept since it hit me last week and thought it would be fun to play around with on here.

I'm with you. I normally don't get hung up on "PC" things like this. But...I couldn't ignore the look of disgust and confusion in my theater last night during that part of the show. It was very uncomfortable. The high school students made comments of disapproval, too. Hate on me if you want, but I think they should revise that part. There are better ways to show what they are attempting to portray.

My Maryland theater was 90% full. The majority seemed to be Boston or Bloo fans. I think I saw one other Crown shirt there. Despite this, Crown got the best reaction followed closely by Bloo. There was an audible reaction and you could see a unison jump across the theater on that first note. The company front into the Crown at the end had people on their feet. First time I've seen a standing ovation in a theater. When they hit the crown set, there was a unison "YEAH!!!!" across the room. Crown looks HUNGRY. I would argue more than any other corps last night. You can also tell the members LOVE this show.

Well, from the picture we can tell they will wear a shako of some sort.

Tease from Crown:

Wow, all promising points! I was just thinking this morning how I haven't heard this much buzz about a Crown show since E=mc2. But even then nobody knew what the heck it all meant. It looks like we have a strong concept, exceptional book and a clear direction concept-wise. I'm sold. Looking forward to the theater premiere next Thursday.

My thoughts exactly when I first saw the title. I can list places in America where this still exists in 2019. I know they weren't going for this, but nowadays you can never be too safe. It may pass over the heads of most people, but some may take it the wrong way.

Carolina Crown

I can definitely see how a flag, rifle or small prop could get left on the field... But how in the heck do you forget something that big!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

True, there really is no way to tell.

Hard to tell in my opinion. Especially since the corps is already strong in music and GE singing aside.

I finally got to see Crown live last night in Salem, VA. As always, phenonemal brass. I would also say this drumline is tied with '09 as their best ever. I don't know much about colorguard but I didn't see any drops and they seemed in time. The show is great musically and visually. I just sense a lack of connection with the audience as mentioned before. When the show was over, there was hesitation before the initial applause. In comparison, Boston had people standing on the cut off. I'm almost certain that is not the final closer. Also, I miss the old Crown already. Lastly, the vocals really add to "For Good". "No One" gets a little tiresome. I'm very familiar with the source material and enjoy it. I just don't think it translates well to the field. That's on the piece, not the corps. Overall very impressive show, I do like it. However, they still have some work to do in the short period of time left if they want to make a connection with the audience at the last minute. I'm just thankful in a way the judges are liking it so they don't have an off year in the rankings.

I can say the Salem, VA crowd ate the show up last night as well. Not a cricket to be found.

First time on this thread, and for good reason... I saw Boston for the first in years last night in Salem. First, I have never been a huge fan of vocalists so lets get that out of the way. Before last night I would be the one to say the less vocals, the better. Your vocalist really changed my mind about vocals in drum corps. Not only is she a phenomenal singer, but her mix with the brass is completely seamless. It feels so cohesive and is integrated so effectively. I've never been overly impressed by vocals in the marching arts, but Lord I had chills. The woman next to me was a first timer to DCI...cried. All she could say when the show ended was how beautiful and well executed "the singing part" of it was. I've watched YouTube videos now that I've seen it live, not even remotely close (although they do get me teary remembering last night). Boston is definitely onto something, and they've changed my mind about singing. If anyone is going to have vocals, Boston '17 must be the standard from now on. Not to mention the show itself was excellent in all captions. It's probably going to end up being my favorite from 2017. I tip my hat to this excellent corps and wish you all the best the rest of the season. You've got brilliant talent both on the field and on staff. Sincerely, Crown fan

After last night's show, one moment of a particular show is resonating with me. It played in my head as I drove the 2 hours home from the venue and even today at work... First, I have never been a huge fan of vocalists so lets get that out of the way. Before last night I would be the one to say the less vocals, the better. I also realize that no matter what, some people will not like them and this post won't make a difference. That's completely fine...I'm just sharing my personal experience here... Boston Crusaders' vocalist is really changing my mind about vocals in drum corps. Not only is she a phenomenal singer, but her mix with the brass is completely seamless. It feels so cohesive and is integrated so effectively. I've never been overly impressed by vocals in the marching arts, but Lord I had chills. The woman next to me was a first timer to DCI...cried. All she could say when Boston finished was how beautiful and well executed "the singing part" of the show was. I've watched YouTube videos of it now that I've seen it live, not even remotely close. Boston is definitely onto something, and they've changed my mind about singing. Do I think every show should have a vocalist? Absolutely not. However if you are going to have them, Boston '17 needs to be the standard from now on. Not to mention the show itself was excellent in all captions. It's probably going to end up being my favorite from 2017! P.S. Salem Stadium is an excellent venue for drum corps. Great acoustics and plenty of space between seats.

I'll be there!

I'm really starting to understand, appreciate and love this show now that more layers have been added. The "deconstruction" of the field really needs to be viewed from up high to actually see it. One question...what's the significance of the football helmet? The obvious answer would be because drum corps is on a football field...but is there another reason or symbolism behind it? Am I missing something? I just found it very randomly placed in the show (which perhaps is the point). I never thought I'd ever say this other than during indoor season, but MORE tarps. The one tarp they have looks great and blends well with the field, but if you really want to deconstruct the field get several more of them. Each one could have a different yard line design. I think it would be REALLY cool to cover the yard numbers with tarps that show distorted/upside down/crooked numbers instead. Just my ideas.

I think the flap has always been a part of the uniform jacket, but they just recently integrated it into the show. It appears to be a Velcro flap similar to 2012's that is opened at some point in the show. If you look closely you can see the seam for the flap even in the pictures from the preview show.

I'd also like to add as a sincere compliment that is probably the scariest uniform/costume I have ever seen. If I looked out my window at night and saw a couple guys outside wearing those...I'd #### my pants and hide. Which makes me think of another point...how will small children react to these? I know young children who are afraid of Ronald McDonald or frankly anything at all with facepaint. Imagine you're 3 or 4 years old and you see 160 people like this coming your way.

I didn't think I would say this based on what everyone has said about them. At first glance on my phone, I thought oh Lord you have to be joking. I rushed home, got on my desktop to see them full screen and... I love them...I think they're absolutely beautiful and this is coming from a traditionalist who adored their old look. Do I understand why people are upset? Absolutely, because normally that is me as well. Do I like it better than their traditional uniform? Absolutely not, I already miss them. BUT, this is the most attention to detail I have ever seen in the entire marching arts activity...ever. Even if you hate them, you have to admit you've never seen anything so meticulous on the field before. As I was always taught growing up, "If you're going to make a huge change in something, you better do it right". I applaud all involved with creating this uniform/costume.

Exactly, and just like '83-'84, '16-'17 will definitely be one for the history books. On another note, I'm curious how comfortable these new uniforms/costumes are compared to the traditional ones most of us are used to marching in. I imagine they'd feel something like the morph suit below I once attempted to wear (note: NOT me in this pic...you don't want to see that ). Comfortable and flexible...but I felt exposed the entire time if you know what I mean... ANYWAY....back to the database so we don't get merged.

True, this has been evident for decades. It seems this year though corps are following the leader more blindly than ever before. We're seeing an unprecedented change top to bottom of uniforms and visual design. Even when BD does something "revolutionary", a couple world class corps follow but not 80% of them like this year.

It's safe to assume that almost everyone is hoping on the 'Coats '16 trend now. I don't mind if a couple of corps do it but now almost everyone is already there. I imagine next season the ones who have yet to crossover (Crown, Blue Stars, presumably BD) will probably do so. I did not expect this from SCV. I'm not complaining, at the end of the night as long as the performers are learning and having the experience of a lifetime that is all that matters. This is just so much change to absorb in one season. I can't recall a season that saw as much change out of the gate as this one so far. We still have yet to see Madison.......

What happened with this "GH stab" before Crown took the field? What did Jeff actually say? Everyone keeps talking about talking about it on here but nobody will answer. Some of us couldn't attend the premiere.

This just made my night